Surname Höflein - Meaning and Origin
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Höflein: What does the surname Höflein mean?
The surname Höflein is an occupational name derived from the German verb ‘Hof’, meaning court, and ‘Lein’ meaning linen, making the combined meaning of the name ‘Court Linen Maker’. It originated as an occupational name for a person who worked as a weaver or dealer in fabrics and linens for the court, during the middle ages.
The surname Höflein is most commonly found in both Germany and Austria and according to historians, was likely first used by people who lived around Bavaria. Today, it is most popular in the Central and Southwestern regions of Germany and Austria as well the United States due to immigration.
Derived from the word “Höfle,” meaning meadow, and “Lein” meaning linen, the name ‘Höflein’ literally translates to ‘meadow of linen’ or one who worked with fabrics from that area. As a result, the surname Höflein suggests that the earliest wearers of the name originated from rural or agricultural areas.
The earliest known recordings of the name Höflein date back to the 15th Century, and throughout the centuries, the name has evolved in various forms including Hoflein, Höfa, Hofel and Höfelin.
The name Höflein is also linked to many different branches of family history and can refer to different individuals of diverse backgrounds. Despite this, the name has a strong link with its original connotation and remains closely associated with fabric and weaving to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisHöflein: Where does the name Höflein come from?
The last name Höflein is primarily found in Germany and Austria today. The surname can be traced from Baden-Württemberg in Southern Germany to Thuringia in the east, and down to Vienna in Austria. It is most common in Southern Germany.
Höflein is derived from the German word "Hof” or “Hofe” meaning farmstead or smallholding. It was likely adopted as a last name by someone living in or near a farmstead or smallholding.
The name first appears in records dating back to 1339 in the city of Tübingen, in Baden-Württemberg. Records from cities in Thuringia such as Naumburg, Weimar, and Leipzig records the name beginning roughly a century later.
Also records in Franconian cities like Landshut and Nuremberg date back to 1581, along with records in Thuringia from 1609. Later records show Höflein’s in Vienna from around the middle of the 18th century. From the late 19th century, more records show Höflein’s in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, and Munich in Bavaria.
Most recently, in 2008, records indicated that there were 7,344 people with the surname Höflein in Germany. Of these, 3,686 lived in Baden-Württemberg, and 2,042 lived in Bavaria. There were also 244 living in Vienna, Austria.
The last name Höflein remains relatively uncommon today, but can still be found primarily in Southern Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Höflein
The surname Höflein is an established German surname derived from the Middle High German word ‘hōf’ which means garden, courtyard or manor. The name refers to a person who lived near or worked at an estate, or a person who had acquired a court-related office. Variants of the name are Hoflein, Hoflin, Hofflein, Hofflin, Hoplin, and Hopflein. It can also be spelled as Hoeflein, Hoeflin, Höflyn, Hoefly, Hoefli, Hoefly, Hoefeli, Höflin, Hoffman, Heufley, Heufly, Heffle, Heffel, Heffles, Hefflin, Hoefele, Höflich, Hoffelin, Hofelein, Hoffely, Hophlin, Hoffloh, and Hoover.
Spelling variants of the surname Höflein in other languages are: Haeflein (German), Hoflein (Dutch), and Hadleina (Polish). Additionally, the family might also have variations of the name in different dialects of German: Höfling, Höfl, Höfler, Höflinger, Höfel.
Surnames derived from the same origin are Hardt, Hatt, Hartmann, Hartig, Herberich, Hertel, and Hartmann. All these surnames were derived from a person's occupation, residence, or physical characteristic. Examples include a person named ‘Hertel’ who had curly hair and a person named ‘Hartig’ which is a pet name meaning brave or strong.
This surname was quite often used in other German regions like Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, and Czech Republic which could explain why it has so many spelling variants and variations in other languages. It is also possible that the same variation of this surname was spread by relatives from different countries or regions.
Famous people with the name Höflein
- Josef Höflein: an Austrian painter
- Franz Xaver Höflein: German-Austrian landscape painter
- David Höflein: German illustrator
- Wolf Höflein: German sailor
- Johann Adam Höflein: Austrian Jesuit missionary
- Nadja Höflein: German professional beach volleyball player
- Marlene Höflein: German table tennis player
- Klaus Höflein: German ski jumper
- Toni Höflein: Austrian fencer
- Walter Höflein: Austrian football player